Ke Nalu
The lightest paddles in the country!! a full carbon paddle weighs 506grams
These paddles are designed with the Biometrics of the Human body, using strong principles of Pysics to get the most out of you paddle stroke.
Get in to try one today
CHOOSING AND CONFIGURING YOUR KE NALU SUP PADDLE
Ke Nalu paddles are highly configurable and you are never stuck with the choices you made. they are assembled with hot glue, so most changes you want to make can be done with a heat gun. Still, it saves you money and time to pick the right components the first time.
Blade: The first selection is blade size.
The Wiki:
![]()
At 8″ X 15″ and 84 square inches is ideal for smaller paddlers or anyone who like to maintain a very high cadence. This is the lightest paddle on the market at 442 grams, and yet it’s stronger than paddles that weigh three times more. You really do have to be prepared for a fast cadence though, this blade recovers very quickly. It’s not just light, the weight difference is all in the blade, so it’s all swing weight. If you’re not prepared for it your rhythm will suffer, but it’s pretty easy to get used to it. Most paddles weigh at least twice as much.
Maliko:
For larger, more powerful paddlers, even those used to smaller conventional paddles, we recommend theMaliko. At 8.5″ X 16″ and 95 square inches, it’s a very powerful paddle, but the the wobble-free design means it’s easy on your arms and shoulders. It weighs just 494 grams. The only paddle on the market that is lighter than that is the Ke Nalu Wiki. Most racers and surfers will find the Maliko to be ideal. It hits the sweet spot for combining power and rapid recovery to give the greatest efficiency.
Molokai:
For advanced paddlers and power surfers we recommend the Molokai. At 9″ X 17 and 105 Square Inches it has a powerful catch. The design of the Ke Nalu blades ensures a firm, strong catch in any size, but it’s particularly impressive with the Molokai. Despite the big blade, the Molokai is still an ultra-lightweight paddle, at only 499 grams. Big wave surfers like the reliable catch–it’s simply always there, and advanced paddlers and racers appreciate the power and efficiency. There’s simply not much slip with this paddle.
You need a disciplined stroke to handle this blade, you can’t just muscle it. Use proper technique and it feels like it has power assist. Slack off a bit and it’s a truck.
Shaft: Once you’ve settled on a blade it’s time to pick a shaft. All Ke Nalu shafts look identical and except for the long shafts, they all cost the same. We add fiberglass to the matrix to increase flex, not to decrease cost.
The standard shaft is 63 inches long. Add 19.5 inches from tip to ferrule for a molokai paddle and two inches for an ergo-t or ergo handle and it’s 84.5 inches max. With a Maliko blade it’s 83.5 and with a Wiki it’s 82.5. The classic T handle is an inch longer at 83.5. The extended ergo T handle adds as much as seven inches to any paddle to allow the standard shaft to go as far as 90.5 inches.
The long shaft is 67 inches–4 inches longer, so a Molokai blade in an uncut shaft is 88.5. With an extended ergo-t handle it can go to 95.5″.
All Ke Nalu shafts have a micro sharkskin texture that grips your hand in the pull direction. You can tune the grab with light sanding. All the shafts look the same regardless of the flex–a beautiful herringbone carbon fiber finish.
100 Flex: Most people will want the 100 Flex carbon shaft. It’s the lightest, the strongest, and you simply don’t need much flex with a Ke Nalu paddle. The tapered shaft provides a little flex at the upper handle, and the wobble and vibration that flex helps to damp isn’t there to begin with. Most people find the taper flex that softens the pull to the upper hand is all they need.
90 Flex: But if you want a tiny bit more flex and you don’t mind an extra five grams of weight (a US Quarter is about 6 grams) then you will like the 90 Flex shaft. It flexes a bit more at the upper hand. It has a nice feel.
60 Flex: If you have seriously dodgy shoulders or you like a tiny delay in power application when you pull (some surfers really like this) then the 60 Flex shaft is for you. It gives flex at the top and bottom hand. It adds 40 grams of weight to your paddle, but still remains in the ultralight range.
Handle: All Ke Nalu handles are 100 percent carbon. Your choice is a matter of taste and experience, but here’s some criteria.
Extended Ergo-T: The extended ergo-T is a $119 option. It’s a bargain at that price for two reasons. First, it’s an expensive part to make, and second, it lets you use one paddle for surfing, racing, and cruising.
That’s the choices. They really aren’t that hard to make, no matter what you choose you’re going to love this paddle. It’s the lightest, strongest, and most technically advanced paddle on the market. What’s not to love?
